Guns that speak

Tom Flanigan · 01-14-2019, 02:58 PM

I don’t know if anyone else has experienced this, but some guns “speak” to me and I never forget them. Some I own and these are included in the core of guns I’ll never sell but will pass down. These guns could be special because of provenance, excellence of the piece or both. Two that I don’t own that come to mind are Kevin McCormack’s “grandma’s” gun, a little 28 bore GH jewel that he once owned and Bruce Day’s gorgeous little CHE 20 bore “woodduck” gun.

Other lesser guns grow on you because of all the game you have taken with them and the memories they represent. I have a 20 bore PHE steel barrel gun, purchased last year, that is falling into this category. Both the gun and my little setter Jesse are new to me but I am already building great memories of both in the grouse woods this year. Lately I have been using the PHE exclusively for my grouse hunting since it fits me well and I shoot it as well as any grouse gun I own. I imagine that at some point I’ll add it to the core of Parker’s that I will never sell.

Kensal Rise · 01-14-2019, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Flanigan

I don’t know if anyone else has experienced this, but some guns “speak” to me and I never forget them.... These guns could be special because of provenance, excellence of the piece or both.

Indeed, sir. We may collect guns, but those of us who are most aware know we are actually collecting threads of humanity: People of history who've used and touched these guns. Events long past that represent human sport and days afield. And of course, that includes ourselves and the experiences we imbue in, and transmit through, these instruments of wonder.

After all, our grand old double guns aren't really guns. They're time machines. Complete with the memory chips of our own lives.

TARNATION !!! · 01-16-2019, 07:51 PM

[QUOTE=John Campbell;262911)

After all, our grand old double guns aren't really guns. They're time machines. Complete with the memory chips of our own lives.[/QUOTE]

Well said. I have one that goes nowhere until I leave the planet. My Dad’s VH 145522. The gun has had a number of fixes and even a second set of barrels fitted after the originals had truly seen their service. No end of memories from the time I was allowed to be gun bearer to taking my first grouse to enjoying many hunts to ultimately becoming custodian and many more memories. The long shot that took the bird. The gimme shot inexplicably missed. That gun is so much a part of me. That gun is the reason I found PGCA where I met many talented folks only too happy to share knowledge so that I could make various necessary repairs. That gun speaks to me.

I have other interesting pieces but nothing that has been part of my life from a very tender age. Cheers Jack

Mills · 01-14-2019, 04:39 PM

This is true. Research letters really enhance this as well. I recently acquired a Parker apparently owned by semi famous Colorado gunmaker way back when - Carlos Gove.

Dean Romig · 01-14-2019, 06:02 PM

Only too well do I know of such Parkers.

As an examply, I am current custodian of a neat little 16 gauge 0-frame lifter, once owned by the indomitable Edgar Spencer and it brings me pride of ownership... and a bunch of grouse and woodcock too.

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